A civil lawsuit often revolves around financial compensation, with a significant majority—about 95%—reaching settlements before or during trial. This reality is fueled by the high costs associated with litigation and the desire of both plaintiffs and defendants to avoid the uncertainty of a jury verdict. This backdrop makes the ongoing case featuring the family of Tyler Skaggs, the late pitcher for the Los Angeles Angels, particularly noteworthy, as they prepare for a trial starting Monday at the Orange County Superior Court.
Tyler Skaggs tragically passed away in his hotel room in Southlake, Texas, on July 1, 2019, just before a scheduled game against the Texas Rangers. The Tarrant County medical examiner’s report revealed that Skaggs had both opioids and alcohol in his system, dying from asphyxia due to vomit aspiration, with his death ruled accidental.
In the fallout of this event, Eric Kay, a former communications director for the Angels, was sentenced to 22 years in federal prison for supplying counterfeit oxycodone pills laced with fentanyl, ultimately linked to Skaggs’ overdose. Evidence presented during Kay’s trial suggested he had sold opioids to multiple professional baseball players over a span of years.
The lawsuit filed by Skaggs’ family in June 2021 claims that the Angels had prior knowledge of Kay’s drug dealings with Skaggs and other players. However, the Angels deny these allegations, asserting that an independent investigation cleared team executives of any wrongdoing and that the claims lodged against them are unfounded.
Despite various rounds of pretrial discovery, which have included more than 50 depositions, the two sides appear far from a resolution. A recent settlement conference yielded no agreement, with strong differences in how each side values the case. The Skaggs family seeks damages that include Skaggs’ projected earnings and compensation for their emotional suffering. Initial claims of $210 million have grown during litigation, though a recent claim suggesting they were seeking $1 billion has been refuted by their representatives.
Skaggs was an accomplished player with substantial earning potential, having made $3.7 million in his final year and expected to command much more as a free agent in the following seasons. While some estimates suggest his future earnings might exceed $100 million, there are concerns that his history of drug use could negatively impact these projections during the trial.
As the trial commences, Skaggs’ attorneys are expected to argue that the Angels were negligent in their responsibilities due to their awareness of Kay’s drug use, highlighting interactions between Kay, the organization, and other players. The Angels, in turn, are likely to focus on the argument that Kay acted outside the scope of his employment when supplying drugs to Skaggs.
Witness testimonies are set to start following the opening statements, with several key figures from the Angels expected to provide accounts. The next two months will not only showcase the arguments of both legal teams but also offer an opportunity for reassessment of the potential for a settlement, as the dynamics of the trial unfold.
As the case progresses, it remains a poignant reminder of the challenges surrounding mental health and substance abuse in professional sports, reinforcing the critical need for support and understanding within these environments. The outcome of the trial could have significant implications, not only for the families and individuals involved but potentially for broader practices within the sports industry regarding player wellness and safety.